Xanax For Sale

Yes, it's the talk of the Atlanta blogging community. Andisheh Nouraee's cover story for this week's Creative Loafing featured five local bloggers who stand out from the crowd. And I applaud that, I really do, but I guess I couldn't seem to wrap my head around his disdain for personal blogs. It's such a huge part of the blogosphere to discount. I remember the first time I read a personal blog. I found it so comforting to read about someone who had similar life experiences as me, who found the same things funny as I did, who had the balls to write exactly what he or she felt and not give a damn. Of course there are the the petty blog fights or gossip-rag blogs that don't exactly achieve this, but I guess I kept thinking about it and finally responded today:

Andy, I think most of your “disappointment” (as profound as you profess it to be) with personal blogs is that they are just that - personal. The different genres of blogging are not all strictly intended to be an alternative to the “traditional news-media platform.” Blogging gained most its notoriety through the medium of personal diaries, going back to 1998 with Open Diary, followed by Live Journal and Blogger soon after. Personal blogs are what have spawned tools such as MySpace, Twitter, and other successful social networks. Atlanta has it’s fair share of diverse, personal blogs, reaching the gay community, the art and design community, a hugely successful podcasting community site, even mothers with “mommy blogs,” as well as local views with our own branch of the Metroblogging* network. While mundane details of one’s everyday life doesn’t inspire everyone, they reach an audience just as valid as those who read political, news, and technical blogs. There are so many bloggers in Atlanta, and to not address the different flavors (instead of condemning them) really does not legitimize the purpose of your article.

I'm not even sure what my point exactly is that I'm trying to get across, except that there is an undeniable "thing" that the blogging community would be missing if those blogs were discounted. For disclosure, I did sign it as a founding member of atlbloggers.net, as well as disclosed that I'm a (sucky) contributer to Metroblogging. Personal rambling over. * title lifted and slightly adjusted from a hilarious series found on ATL Malcontent.

A few months ago I was reading my beloved Real Simple magazine and came across this article on finding one's "theme song." The article really resonated with me for several reasons. If you know me at all, you'll know that I'm a self-confessed lyrics junkie. Music is the poetry of our time, and I can't get enough of it. I was also going through a pretty rough patch at the time: a shitty relationship, a blossoming one, indecision about what to do with myself and grasping with just being okay with being indecisive. I knew I had to change something, maybe EVERYTHING, and I just needed that little pep in my step, so to speak.

They say you got to stay hungry... hey baby, I'm just about starving tonight.

At the same time, I'd listen to a lot of music and finally found my song. I listened to the desire and strength of those words that set me in the right direction.

Message keeps getting clearer, radio's on and I'm moving round the place I check myself out in the mirror I wanna change my clothes my hair my face Man, I ain't getting nowhere just sitting in a dump like this There's something happening somewhere, baby I just know there is...

How was I supposed to grow as a person stuck in a dead-end relationship, living with an emotionally crippled and self-absorbed man with ADD, repeating the same steps over and over again? It was such a long period of time where I was made to look like I created the problems by worrying... but if I didn't worry, where was the impetus to grow, to change? With my song in my mind, I had a spring in my step. I smiled knowing that these changes were going to bring the great unknown into my life, and with that I was singing the song at the top of my lungs every chance that I got.

You can't start a fire without a spark...

Not knowing what was ahead may just be the best thing that ever happened to me, so here's my song: Ted Leo's fantastic acoustic cover of Dancing in the Dark. What's yours?

I don't know why it's taken me so long, but with the recent acquisition of my new phone I've decided to just make my own ringtones instead of downloading them. I know I'm cheap, but the selection is also shite. So I followed the handy-dandy instructions via Lifehacker and now have some great tunes, including The White Stripes' "Hello Operator" which should so obviously be a ringtone and is stupidly not available. Plus, I now have the most appropriate ringtone for my boyfriend.

The gorgeous and funny Melissa granted me an interview ages ago, but then I got busy and went on vacation and totally procrastinated for a few days because I suck. So, an interview, yes, because maybe she thinks I'm smart and funny, too? Ha, have I got her FOOLED! But her questions are pretty interesting and it's a little different from the standard meme since they're specifically related to me. And as the blogosphere is a lovely, caring and sharing space, YOU can participate and have me interview you. Plus, you get a post idea out of it. And I'm all for that, right? Right. 1. What is something that can really get on your nerves? People who contradict themselves. I know so many people who complain about others doing the same. exact. things. that they do, and it drives me nuts and makes me want to shove a mirror into their faces. Phew! That was cathartic. Next... 2. If money and logistics were no object, where would you want to live and why? Maui. Hands down. I went there for my honeymoon with the exhusband and it is the most lush, beautiful place I've ever been. The weather is perfect year-round. The people are so warm and inviting, the culture is rich in history, and the ocean... my god the ocean. I literally still have dreams about snorkeling off the beaches in the deep, clear blue water. Sigh. 3. What was your most awkward phase? I only get to pick one?! I guess the very-typical-answer of my teens. I was pretty introverted and didn't really find my "voice" until years and years later. It's just such a horrible time in your life when you're extremely insecure, struggling to find your identity, and are (way too) heavily influenced by peers. I was always frustrated and emotional, running around the house screaming OH MY GOD WHY DON'T YOU PEOPLE UNDERSTAND?! Ugh, I would never want to re-live those years again. Did I mention the bad hair? Yeah. 4. Which movie genre would best fit as the format for a movie about your life? Comedy. Not the "ha-ha" Robbin Williams kind of comedy, but the clumsy, awkward "The Office" kind of comedy. My life has had its ups and downs, but thankfully I'm used to making an ass out of myself and it's always funny enough to laugh about it. 5. How do you care for your gorgeous hair? The easy one! My hair is totally no fuss. I shampoo and condition and blowdry (sometimes straightening with my Chi). I try not to use any products, but come summer the humidity necessitates some sort of goop to prevent a 'fro from beginning. A tried and true remedy is Frizz-Ease Secret Weapon. This stuff stood the test of many Florida summers! Okay, so do you want to play? You can leave a comment saying, “Interview me.” I will email you 5 questions (and yes, I get to pick the questions. Ha ha, sucker!). You will update your blog with the answers to the questions, as well as include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post. Wash, rinse, repeat. Voila!

Brian and I had a fantastic time in Miami, and now this tanned and well-fed girl is suffering from vacation withdrawal.

Photos and tales in captions can be seen here.